Wentworthville dad turns struggling lawn into a green contender
A SOUTH Wentworthville father who once struggled to keep his grass alive after moving from England is now in the running to be crowned Australia's most improved lawn.
Toby Hook, 41, bought his family home six years ago with little gardening experience and no idea how to tackle Sydney's scorching summers.
What started as a battle to keep his backyard green has since grown into an obsession, with Toby transforming a patchy lawn into a lush outdoor space for his family.
Now, his hard work could pay off as he competes in the Yates National Gardening League Australian Lawn Challenge, which is searching for the country's most improved lawn.
The competition offers a $5,000 cash prize, which Toby hopes to put towards a Bali holiday with his wife and three-year-old son Emilio.
The second season of the national challenge has changed its focus, rewarding the biggest lawn transformations rather than simply looking for the best-looking grass.
Entrants submit an initial photograph before getting to work improving their lawns, with judges assessing the scale of each transformation.
Yates National Gardening League chief judge and horticulturist Angie Thomas said the new format gave everyday gardeners a chance to compete.
“You might have weeds or a lawn that’s looking more brown than green. This year, that could give you a competitive advantage,” she said.
Ms Thomas said the competition aimed to encourage Australians to get outdoors and take pride in their backyards.
The league is supported by Yates' Click & Grow Garden Care System, designed to simplify lawn and garden maintenance through ready-to-use products.
For Toby, the challenge represents how far he has come since arriving from England and learning to care for a lawn in Sydney's climate.
For competition details, visit www.yates.com.au/ngl
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